255 Nicholson StreetBrunswick EastVictoria 3057 Australia
probono@architectsforpeace.or gwww.architectsforpeace.org
Pro bono working group policy
Architects for Peace (arch-peace) officially launched its Pro Bono Service on 24 August 2006, placingthe organisation as an intermediary between professionals of the built environment and communitygroups, non-profit agencies and charitable organizations in Australia and internationally.
1. The pro-bono vision
The right to a good city:
pro bono enables our members to take concrete steps to achieve our shared vision of sustainable development, which includes engaging with current urban/politicaldebates and the prevention of human-made disasters.The pro bono service provides options to those who could not otherwise afford them. At the sametime, this process facilitates the promotion and discussion of architecture and planning in relation to itsimpact on people, their health and their cities. We hope that this service will assist in promotingeducation, community participation and finding solutions to our damaged environment.The reasons for providing this service are many and include:
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The perceived and real social divide in the accessibility of architectural services
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The perceived notion that architecture is dispensable and deals only with aesthetics
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The public’s generally limited awareness of the impact of architecture, urban design andplanning on the way we use and live in our cities
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The reality that urban professional disciplines are responsible for up to 75% of greenhouse gasemissions (as of 2006)
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The desire of many arch-peace members to assist in the creation of more democratic, fairer and better cities for all, wherever we are based
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The fact that in Australia, we lag behind other professions that already recognise the value of offering their professional services to those who cannot otherwise afford them (e.g. law andmedicine), despite the high social and environmental impact of our field and correspondingresponsibility to the communityOur vision is to see that all professionals of the built environment dedicate a portion of their time andresources to pro bono work. Our service is in place to facilitate and promote these efforts.
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